From concept to practice: Implementation of circular building as a process of translation

Paper in proceeding, 2021

The concept of circular building (CB) proposes to transform the current mode of production in the construction sector to mitigate climate changes and reduce fossil consumption. The concept has gained momentum among politicians and academics; however, it is only slowly penetrating the sector. In the paper, we aim at developing our understanding of how this concept is translated into specific organisational settings. Rather than focusing on the actions to support or prevent its dissemination, we focus on how the concept is brought into life as an organisational practice and through which processes and mechanism. Drawing on qualitative data from primarily interviews, we present a case study of two large Scandinavian contractors' efforts to implement CB. The results point at a diversity of positions and choices in translating CB within a specific organisational context. The concept of translation helps us to analyse the shaping of such processes and may consequently contribute to the development of the CB concept by directing attention to how circular ideas and concepts are translated across different contexts.